Qatar Transport

Air
Gulf Air (GF) and Qatar Airways (QR) are the major operators serving Qatar, with regularly scheduled flights arriving from cities in the Gulf region as well as many other cities across the globe. The approximate flight time from London to Doha is 8 hours, 25 minutes; no direct flights connect Qatar with the US.

Doha International Airport (DOH) is located four miles from the city centre. Facilities at the airport include ATMs, currency exchanges, a post office, snack bars and restaurants, duty-free shopping, wireless Internet access and mosques for both men and women. Long and short-term parking facilities are located outside the departures and arrivals terminals and feature covered parking specially designed to protect vehicles from the heat. For transportation to the city, a limousine service is available from the airport, as are orange-and-white metered taxis. Most major hotels in Doha provide a courtesy shuttle service for guests to and from the airport. Car hire companies with desks in the arrivals hall include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Mustafawi, Sixt and Thrifty.

Car
There is access by road from both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, but the main overland route from Saudi Arabia is not always open and is often impassable during the rainy season.

Bus
Bus service is available from Saudi Arabia, but there are no fixed routes and as most of the vehicles are old and uncomfortable, travel by bus is not recommended.

Sea
The country’s main international ports are at Doha and Umm Said. Although the traffic is mostly commercial, some passenger lines include a stop at Doha on their itineraries.

Bus
Buses and taxis constitute the public transport options in Qatar and are owned by Mowasalat (Karwa) which owns some of the limousine services as well. Bus service has only been available since late 2005, with routes travelling as far north as Al Shamal/Al Ruwais, as far west as Dukhan and as far south as Mesaieed (Umm Said). It is advised that pickpockets can be a problem during peak hours.

Car
Car hire is offered by local companies at the airport and at major hotels. An international driving permit is required, but a temporary license can be obtained if you hold a valid UK driving license. Driving is on the right-hand side and until you become accustomed to local driving habits, it can be a little unsettling. The road system is fair, but conditions are often poor during the wet season.

Taxi
The city’s original taxi service, the orange-and-white metered vehicles, provides the most economical service. Although there’s no central dispatch number to call, you can easily hail a taxi on the street. The new blue taxis are an improvement, but are still in short supply. Private taxis also cruise the streets and will stop to offer you a ride. You should be aware that these vehicles are most likely not insured. Limousines are a more expensive option, with service provided by a number of companies. These will typically be air-conditioned and later-model vehicles, and drivers are likely to be more knowledgeable about routes. Limousine service can be arranged at the better hotels. A new option is the turquoise city taxis, which are also air-conditioned, and can be booked from a central dispatch office.